Sasha Banks & Becky Lynch vs. Naomi & Tamina
What Happened? They didn’t start out brightly, but Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch found a way to coexist as they overcame their common enemy. Taking advantage of their rival’s early dissension Naomi and Tamina kept the makeshift team seperate before Lynch found a way to tag in her partner. The reintroduction of Banks proved key as the former NXT women’s champ soon ensnared Tamina in the ‘Banks Statement’ for the submission victory.
Winners: Sasha Banks & Becky Lynch
Thoughts: Decent, but by no means exceptional, the win keeps Banks and Lynch on a roll with a high-profile title match at WrestleMania likely their next destination. Despite the loss Naomi and Tamina looked strong and the two figure to remain part of the division's top performers going forward. The real issue here more than anything was the placement of the match on the card; it just didn’t feel like a curtain-jerker.
Rating: 2.5/5.0
Intercontinental Championship
Kevin Owens © vs. Dolph Ziggler
What Happened? He might have fought gallantly, but Dolph Ziggler chose the wrong time to challenge the newly minted champion. Galvanised since winning the belt back, Owens punished his opponent, rag-dolling the challenger at will. A crash into the turnbuckle post allowed Ziggler to temporarily take the advantage, but a costly mistake involving the referee allowed the champion to connect with his powerful ‘Pop Up Powerbomb’ for the count.
Winner and STILL champion: Kevin Owens
Thoughts: This was the match that should have opened the show. Another excellent performance from two of the WWE’s top midcard superstars. Owens thrives in the champion spot and the decision to put a title back on him looks like a wise move. Ziggler was never going to win here, but a number of excellent false finishes teased the shock and really helped ramp up the drama. One of the best matches of the night, but we always knew that was going to be the case.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
Big Show, Kane & Ryback vs. The Wyatt Family
What Happened? Excellent teamwork and a surprisingly strong performance from Ryback helped deny The Wyatt Family once again. Starting strong and isolating their adversary’s weak link, the so-called ‘Titans’ were effective in limiting the damage of the dangerous Braun Strowman. Desperately attempting to help turn the bout in his family’s favour, Bray Wyatt tried his best to sabotage Ryback’s rampage, but his efforts proved fruitless as the strongman smashed Luke Harper with ‘Shellshocked’ for the victory.
Winners: Big Show, Kane & Ryback
Thoughts: Remember this match, for it likely represents the final nail in the coffin of the once-great Wyatt Family. It’s both confusing and infuriating to see the stable continue to dominate before losing high-profile matches on pay-per-view. With news that Bray Wyatt might no longer be facing Lesnar at WrestleMania, perhaps it’s best to take the clan off TV for a few months for a much-needed reset.
Rating: 2.25/5.0
Divas Championship
Charlotte © vs. Brie Bella
What Happened? Channelling the warrior spirits of her recently retired husband and severely injured sister, Brie Bella gave Charlotte a stiff challenge, but unfortunately for her it just wasn’t enough to dethrone the champion. Taking the fight to Charlotte, Brie slapped the reigning title holder with Bryan-esque kicks and forearms, but managed to injure her knee in the process. Taking full advantage of the development, Charlotte escaped a submission attempt before tying the plucky challenger in the ‘Figure Eight’ hold for the tap.
Winner and STILL champion: Charlotte
Thoughts: It looked as if they were trying their hardest, but Brie and Charlotte just didn’t gel here. The pace was too deliberate, the action all too choreographed, and none of this was helped by the fact that the live crowd just wasn’t buying Brie as a legitimate threat. If any match ever summed up a superstar’s in-ring career, this would be it for the soon-departing Bella sister.
Rating: 2.25/5.0
AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho
What Happened? The rubber match between two of the industry’s top ring generals didn’t disappoint as Chris Jericho and AJ Styles went back and forth to determine the superior superstar. Taking control of the match with a superb dropkick to a diving Styles, Jericho thought he had the match won after a beautifully connecting ‘Codebreaker’, but his newcomer rival managed to survive and recovered sufficiently to turn the bout in his favour with a successful ‘Styles Clash’ attempt followed by a ‘Calf Crusher’ for the hard-earned submission victory.
Winner: AJ Styles
Thoughts: If the WWE have done anything right in recent months it’s the way they’ve booked AJ Styles and his initial run of matches. Another excellent effort with the ever-reliable Chris Jericho has succeeded perfectly in establishing Styles as a legitimate top-tier superstar who will be a tough test for just about anybody. Big things should be expected from the former TNA superstar. Had the match been a little tighter in execution it would have undoubtedly stolen the show.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
Curtis Axel vs. R-Truth
What Happened? An attempt to prove himself as a valuable ally backfired for Goldust as he inadvertently cost R-Truth his impromptu match against The Social Outcast’s Curtis Axel. Hoping to help the beleaguered superstar, ‘The Bizarre One’ instead distracted Truth, allowing Axel to steal the win with a quick rollup.
Winner: Curtis Axel
Thoughts: Not a pay-per-view match. Not a pay-per-view kickoff match. Not a Raw match. Hell this shit shouldn’t even make it on Main Event. If the WWE ever wants Fastlane to be accepted by fans as a meaningful Road to WrestleMania show this isn’t the right way go about it. A complete waste of time for everyone.
Rating: 1.0/5.0
Triple Threat match - Winner faces Triple H for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 32
Dean Ambrose vs. Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar
What Happened? Like him or not, it really doesn’t matter: Roman Reigns will face Triple H for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 32 following a spear to Dean Ambrose. The match began as expected with Brock Lesnar dominating the field with a series of debilitating suplexes, but the former Shield partners managed to slow the former champion down following collaborative powerbombs through two of the announcers tables. Lesnar somehow survived the punishment however and battled back to once again take control of proceedings.
Coming close to victory with the ‘Kimura Lock’ firmly applied to Reigns, Lesnar’s efforts were instead dashed after being driven from the ring by a crazed, chair-wielding Ambrose. ‘The Lunatic Fringe’ didn’t have time to savor his beatdown of ‘The Beast’ however, as he quickly found himself being pinned for the count following a spear from his longtime ally.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Thoughts: It’s Roman Reigns. It was always going to be Roman Reigns. I don’t want it, you probably don’t want it either, but BAW GAWD that’s what we’re getting. A satisfactory main event which delivered pretty much everything that was expected of it. Ambrose played the fall guy as many predicted, but looked strong despite the loss. Lesnar looked like...Lesnar. Reigns looked...strong. Not a lot else to say. On to WrestleMania we go for a main event match that will have even the IWC longing for the returns of John Cena and Randy Orton. Think about that for a second.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
Overall Thoughts: A ludicrously difficult show to write about if I’m being honest. At its best Fastlane served its purpose and helped drive its main players closer to next month’s big show. At its worst it was a tough reminder of just how hard a WWE ‘B’ show can be to enjoy. Luckily WrestleMania is just around the corner; this show won’t stick around in the minds of anyone.
Show Rating: 2.5/5.0
Moment of the Event: Lesnar Suplexes Ambrose and Reigns at the same time.
Event MVP: AJ Styles
What did you think of WWE Fastlane? Leave your comments below!
All images courtesy of WWE.com
Winner: Roman Reigns
Thoughts: It’s Roman Reigns. It was always going to be Roman Reigns. I don’t want it, you probably don’t want it either, but BAW GAWD that’s what we’re getting. A satisfactory main event which delivered pretty much everything that was expected of it. Ambrose played the fall guy as many predicted, but looked strong despite the loss. Lesnar looked like...Lesnar. Reigns looked...strong. Not a lot else to say. On to WrestleMania we go for a main event match that will have even the IWC longing for the returns of John Cena and Randy Orton. Think about that for a second.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
Overall Thoughts: A ludicrously difficult show to write about if I’m being honest. At its best Fastlane served its purpose and helped drive its main players closer to next month’s big show. At its worst it was a tough reminder of just how hard a WWE ‘B’ show can be to enjoy. Luckily WrestleMania is just around the corner; this show won’t stick around in the minds of anyone.
Show Rating: 2.5/5.0
Moment of the Event: Lesnar Suplexes Ambrose and Reigns at the same time.
Event MVP: AJ Styles
What did you think of WWE Fastlane? Leave your comments below!
All images courtesy of WWE.com
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